Calling all POETS, ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS!

We've got so many talented people here; this would be a good place to share something other than our 'foods'; diet, and 'problems'.

Franse is a terrific photographer; artist, and poet!  Okay, that's a LOT of talent in one lovely lady.  Oilpaintlady is a great photographer; painter, and writes poetry also - more talent to share.  Imaginee writes poetry; does beautiful photography, and is a magnificent sketch artist. Poetnw is a superb poety; maybe some other hidden talents as well.

Rayn is a great singer; Katydid is an exciting illustrator working on a children's book (want that book for certain); and musci2harvest is not only a whiz on the history of jazz, but can 'jazz' up a cake in the most beautiful way!

Let's do some happy talk; read some great poetry, and enjoy the comments about art and music from the many who have these interests listed in their bio's.

Diane.

I used to make a lot of money for my faery painted tee shirts.  I quit when I turned eighteen mostly because of tax stuff and fear of doing something illegal, but I also had some issues in life to take care of (nephew, foster care, new job, lah dee dah).

I still do a lot of sewing and am working on curtains for my aunt-in-law [to be], as well as a few clothing items for friends, but for the most part I won't be sewing to sell like I used to until Alex is done with his classes for business.  We have dreams of opening an internet store one day for my garments and his jewelry pieces, but he wants to go to school for a few things first.  Which gives me time to get my own job situation settled and get some start up cash.

pasha19, we're not traditional at ALL, which is why I'm making my own dress.  It's going to be very hard and very expensive to find the corset in the colours I want, and have it in the dress shape I want.  I was going to go the whole, corset and skirt route but I look pretty damned good in a dress.

I priced it out once and to have the fabric, the style, and the boning I wanted, plus labour, the corset alone would've cost a little over four hundred dollars.  I can make it myself for around fifty dollars, and that's if I spring for traditional steel boning.  Alex knows his way around a hardware store and I usually make my corsets out of some nifty material he found in there that works almost better than traditional steel boning and is a little cheaper.  More comfortable and still holds in what I want held in.

I thought the cakes as sushi would be cute, too.  Originally I was going to make them all white with sakura flowers on them, but I realised what petite fours look like arranged on a plate, and by having them all cylindrical, I can just as easily make them look like rolled sushi and serve them with chopsticks.  We're having a mild Japanese theme 'cause we both adore the culture and music. 

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Original Post by ricen:

I make really cool pottery with beautiful b-mix clay (its like porcelain) and recently have been doing paintings on 3 yards of fabric. I can make it all; cups, bowls, pouring pitchers, jars, vases and teapots! I also do ceramic sculpture.

If anyone is interested in a ceramic commission, send me a message. Maybe we can work something out :)

Hi there! Hey, since I've done some of that, I know how beautiful it can be - I bet you've got it down to a science, and I'm going to see if you've got any in your gallery. If not, how about making sure we have some pictures to enjoy.

I did more of this when I was younger - I'm sure I never achieved your level of competency, but I do know how beautiful the few things I created, were in my home (since given to the kids).

I have a friend who paints on fabric; another who 'layers' her paintings by doing different sections of the painting on PLEXIGLASS - then she puts them together, and you get all that dimension. I bet you'd be good at that - maybe give that a try to add to your 'collection' of talents. Diane

yeah, im terrible about putting my art onto the internet. Now I have some incentive, lol.

 One of my goals is to do paintings on plexiglass or transparencies. I would like to even combine transparency/fabric to see what it does. Art is fun :P

no, cellulitedelight, i would never have taken you for a traditional girl! good for you. your awesome corset plan reminds me of a pagan friend of mine from NYC! i've worn a lot of corsets for plays i've been in, and they look so amazing! have fun!

Hey, I ran across a couple of brief pieces of prose - guess I could 'paste' it here.  Diane

COLOR BLIND, BY DIANE STIRLING-STEVENS, 1967

Not black power, nor white power
But individual and personal power
..to develop
To its highest potential; a freedom
Given to every one of us!

And another one: 1968

Color, dusky color - always shall I see you cleaning; rubbing, scrubbing
As if through centuries of knuckled labor
You might by fist or force
Find the light
Seeking to be accepted by those
Who attempt to turn
Black skin
Into white.

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Hey, I ran across a couple of brief pieces of prose - guess I could 'paste' it here.  Diane

COLOR BLIND, BY DIANE STIRLING-STEVENS, 1967

Not black power, nor white power
But individual and personal power
..to develop
To its highest potential; a freedom
Given to every one of us!

And another one: 1968

Color, dusky color - always shall I see you cleaning; rubbing, scrubbing
As if through centuries of knuckled labor
You might by fist or force
Find the light
Seeking to be accepted by those
Who attempt to turn
Black skin
Into white.

I guess this one as I say good night; I'm a wee bit tired today - it's been a delightful one - so glad to meet all this talent; know there is more 'hiding.....smile.  Diane

Here's what I wrote for a friend of mine 'about life':

A SEASON AND A SMATHERING................

And there really is a season for all things
While some seasons are less obvious than another
There is a time to sew; a time to reap
And sometime there is weeping done
By a grieving mother

We rarely see the tiny sprout
The tree that never was
But we hope that seedling

that was given to the river, 

found a new life....
'just because - just because'

We see that river - rippling
..sometimes oh so calm
We hear the birds as they nest in the tree
We hear the music; we worship the psalm

Yet, if our ears are deafened at birth
Is there still a joy - a true delight
And if we're blind and can not see
Is there really a day
And a star-lit night

Five senses we're supposed to receive
But if shy a few of those
Can we still believe
And if we can't have a mind that comprehends
Does that mean the river never bends

The river does, as river's do
The universe is universal
So it really can
See
You

And if I was looking back to see
If you were looking back at me
To see if I was looking back at you
Then where 1 or more are gathered
There I shall be also - yes, it's true.

But when there is only 1; this - too
Shall be called a gathering
When 1 is joined with spirt and self
it's definitely a 'smathering'

I don't know how to weigh a smathering
I do not have a chart
I do not need a scale
I only need a heart.

Diane Stirling-Stevens, February 11, 2008
(from my book of poems)
(c) 2/11/08.

   

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Original Post by jdfluffy:

I am music education major with an emphasis on voice!! So, that makes me a musician! Haha.

Aha, I have you on my friends' list! Okay, we know you can sing, but COULD YOU SING LOUDER - I CAN'T HEAR YOU............

Rayn is a CC member; she sings and plays in a 5-piece hand in Portland. I ordered her CD - you should make one up for us; create a spot on MySpace (or some such thing), then we could come to your 'concert'.

My favorite singer (female) is Sarah Brightman - have every one of her songs; she's on my 'blog' where I start my day, and I download a number of her melodies - it's one of the best ways to enjoy my tea.

Okay, we'll wait for your CD - or to see you 'on the charts' some day in the future. Diane

 

I do have a myspace music page! I am little embarrassed by it, as it was my first try at jazz...I am classically trained!  The URL is www.myspace.com/jordynpalmer. ; You can download the songs for free...I was going to release the cd but it just was not where I wanted it to be!! I am glad to have weight loss support and music support!!!  

 

Oops I messed that post up above!!!

Original Post by ricen:

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Original Post by ricen:

I make really cool pottery with beautiful b-mix clay (its like porcelain) and recently have been doing paintings on 3 yards of fabric. I can make it all; cups, bowls, pouring pitchers, jars, vases and teapots! I also do ceramic sculpture.

If anyone is interested in a ceramic commission, send me a message. Maybe we can work something out :)

Hi there! Hey, since I've done some of that, I know how beautiful it can be - I bet you've got it down to a science, and I'm going to see if you've got any in your gallery. If not, how about making sure we have some pictures to enjoy.

I did more of this when I was younger - I'm sure I never achieved your level of competency, but I do know how beautiful the few things I created, were in my home (since given to the kids).

I have a friend who paints on fabric; another who 'layers' her paintings by doing different sections of the painting on PLEXIGLASS - then she puts them together, and you get all that dimension. I bet you'd be good at that - maybe give that a try to add to your 'collection' of talents. Diane

yeah, im terrible about putting my art onto the internet. Now I have some incentive, lol.

 One of my goals is to do paintings on plexiglass or transparencies. I would like to even combine transparency/fabric to see what it does. Art is fun :P

NOW THERE YOU GO - how about a littlel 'mixed-media' with the fabric; a bit of 'nature' like dried grasses; tiny Forget-Me-Nots, with the fabric; layers - I am seeing this as something very beautiful and soothing!  I hope you do it.  Diane

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Hey, I ran across a couple of brief pieces of prose - guess I could 'paste' it here.  Diane

COLOR BLIND, BY DIANE STIRLING-STEVENS, 1967

Not black power, nor white power
But individual and personal power
..to develop
To its highest potential; a freedom
Given to every one of us!

And another one: 1968

I guess this one as I say good night; I'm
Color, dusky color - always shall I see you cleaning; rubbing, scrubbing
As if through centuries of knuckled labor
You might by fist or force
Find the light
Seeking to be accepted by those
Who attempt to turn
Black skin
Into white.

a wee bit tired today - it's been a delightful one - so glad to meet all this talent; know there is more 'hiding.....smile.  Diane

Here's what I wrote for a friend of mine 'about life':

A SEASON AND A SMATHERING................

And there really is a season for all things
While some seasons are less obvious than another
There is a time to sew; a time to reap
And sometime there is weeping done
By a grieving mother

We rarely see the tiny sprout
The tree that never was
But we hope that seedling

that was given to the river, 

found a new life....
'just because - just because'

We see that river - rippling
..sometimes oh so calm
We hear the birds as they nest in the tree
We hear the music; we worship the psalm

Yet, if our ears are deafened at birth
Is there still a joy - a true delight
And if we're blind and can not see
Is there really a day
And a star-lit night

Five senses we're supposed to receive
But if shy a few of those
Can we still believe
And if we can't have a mind that comprehends
Does that mean the river never bends

The river does, as river's do
The universe is universal
So it really can
See
You

And if I was looking back to see
If you were looking back at me
To see if I was looking back at you
Then where 1 or more are gathered
There I shall be also - yes, it's true.

But when there is only 1; this - too
Shall be called a gathering
When 1 is joined with spirt and self
it's definitely a 'smathering'

I don't know how to weigh a smathering
I do not have a chart
I do not need a scale
I only need a heart.

Diane Stirling-Stevens, February 11, 2008
(from my book of poems)
(c) 2/11/08.

   

I really enjoyed all of these and conected with the last one the most. Thank you :)

Hi everybody!  Wow, what talent!  No prose from me, but I do play a mean viola!  lol  I am a secretary/receptionist in the school of music at a local state university.  The dean here graciously allows me to play as a member of the school's orchestra!  What a blessing that is to me, as music was put "on the back burner" for several years while my children were younger.  It is also great because I grew up in this area and was already familiar with the program, the faculty, etc.  It was like coming home when I got this position.  God is good!!!

socialworkersarah--

hey, im 2beittybitty's daughter, Brenda. I loved your poem! I can tell we have a lot in common from it, because it is everything i have felt and learned during my recent divorce.

I married a 29yr old man when I was 18. He turned out to be a diagnosed Bi-polar skitzaphrenic with manic depression. combined with drug and alcohol abuse and infidelity issues. he was severely emotionally and physically abusive. Worst of all, 4 days before my divorce,  he told me he was gay! I know it all sounds unreal, but believe me, as much as i didn't want to believe any evil about him, i found out it was all painfully true.

  It was hard to be split in 2 because my heart desperately loved my husband, but my head knew i had to go through with the divorce or it could cost me my life; as it nearly had a few times already.

I too have found that i am better off alone, and doing better alone than i ever thought possible. I am now 21, and i have been working as an Emergency Room Medical Technician for over a year now. I own my own home( a little camper trailer i bought and remodeled to make into a beautiful, cozy home for me and my cat Sebastian.=)i also run a business of my own on the side cleaning houses and doing lawn care. I have managed to pay off over $12,000 of debt he left me with this past year, as well as paying for our divorce and supporting myself-roman noodles r cheap=P

It's funny, when you work so hard to try and learn to be a provider for him, when he provides nothing himself, suddenly you look around and you realize that you are in fact providing for yourself already and you simply don't need him. He inadvertently taught you to take care of yourself without him.

thanks for sharing=)

I am a writer to the core and have an anonymous blog that attracts quite a few viewers. I write a lot of poetry and am currently writing a book.

M is huge into photography. We still dream that one day someone will send us out on a trip around the world. He can take the pictures, I can write about our exploits.

Here's an oldie I'd written about the bar where I was a regular in college:

Barstools and big tools
Open mic jokes
Stale cigarette smoke
Local celebrities
Rock star wannabes
Friendly bartenders
Three day benders
Sleep is optional
Entertainment, optimal
Rough bathroom amenities
Shot glass divinities
Philosophers imbibe
Politician's diatribe
Angry man brawl
Heartbroken squall
Classic rock jukebox
Boys brag about their ****
Numbers exchanged
Lives rearranged
Bouncer at the door
Cheap drinks on the floor
Underage novice flirts
Underwear peaking out miniskirts
Lost poker hands
One night stands
Art student lessons
Bathroom stall confessions
Dart board competition
Game day superstition
TV closed captions
Heels lacking traction
"Last call for alcohol"
Time to leave here doll...

I'm an artist and a composer.  In art, I use my own technique.  I called it "Richard's technique" named after my son.  I have written a fair share of songs, including lyrics, and instrumentals.  I just finished writing a hymn that was commissioned by my church for the celebration of the church's 100th anniversary.  I've sold a couple art pieces.  I have written a few short stories, but don't enjoy that quite as much as writing songs.

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

I am a writer to the core and have an anonymous blog that attracts quite a few viewers. I write a lot of poetry and am currently writing a book.

M is huge into photography. We still dream that one day someone will send us out on a trip around the world. He can take the pictures, I can write about our exploits.

Here's an oldie I'd written about the bar where I was a regular in college:

Barstools and big tools
Open mic jokes
Stale cigarette smoke
Local celebrities
Rock star wannabes
Friendly bartenders
Three day benders
Sleep is optional
Entertainment, optimal
Rough bathroom amenities
Shot glass divinities
Philosophers imbibe
Politician's diatribe
Angry man brawl
Heartbroken squall
Classic rock jukebox
Boys brag about their ****
Numbers exchanged
Lives rearranged
Bouncer at the door
Cheap drinks on the floor
Underage novice flirts
Underwear peaking out miniskirts
Lost poker hands
One night stands
Art student lessons
Bathroom stall confessions
Dart board competition
Game day superstition
TV closed captions
Heels lacking traction
"Last call for alcohol"
Time to leave here doll...

Hey there, I sure enjoyed this one!  I like it when people write poetry about certain 'realities' in life, that often seem not good 'subject matter' for a poem - and you've shown that a poem can be written about ANYTHING.  To me, that is the mark of an accomplished poet (my opinion of course), but it shows me that life continues to be 'poetic' - in any form.  I think of music much the same way; an art composition much the same way.

Yesterday I had the nicest talk with Willie Baronet - his form of art might not appeal to just 'everyone', but again - he's found a way to use simple pencil sketchings (much like a child would do), to create not only an art piece, but to convey a message.  We were kidding around a bit - I'd pick a piece of his art from his blog, and then I'd write prose or poetry to it.  We played with this until 3:00 a.m. - it's a great little project to look at a 'scene' (such as the bar scene you've done), and suddenly make it not only a 'visual' we can all relate to, but with rhyme AND reason. 

I'm sorry your blog is anonymous - but, each of us has our reasons for keeping some of our thoughts, and access to those thoughts, personal.

I continue to be amazed at the talent we've 'discovered', and enjoying so very much.  Diane

Original Post by sixtyfivealive:

Hey there, I sure enjoyed this one!  I like it when people write poetry about certain 'realities' in life, that often seem not good 'subject matter' for a poem - and you've shown that a poem can be written about ANYTHING.  To me, that is the mark of an accomplished poet (my opinion of course), but it shows me that life continues to be 'poetic' - in any form.  I think of music much the same way; an art composition much the same way.

Yesterday I had the nicest talk with Willie Baronet - his form of art might not appeal to just 'everyone', but again - he's found a way to use simple pencil sketchings (much like a child would do), to create not only an art piece, but to convey a message.  We were kidding around a bit - I'd pick a piece of his art from his blog, and then I'd write prose or poetry to it.  We played with this until 3:00 a.m. - it's a great little project to look at a 'scene' (such as the bar scene you've done), and suddenly make it not only a 'visual' we can all relate to, but with rhyme AND reason. 

I'm sorry your blog is anonymous - but, each of us has our reasons for keeping some of our thoughts, and access to those thoughts, personal.

I continue to be amazed at the talent we've 'discovered', and enjoying so very much.  Diane

Thanks, I'm flattered!

Your game sounds like a lot of fun...when I was in grade school art classes, my teacher would get mad at me because I'd work words into my art projects...you could say I've always been partial to the written or spoken language. ;-) I had a friend in college and we would play a game where one of us would come up with a word...like any word, and then we'd write poems about that one word and read them to each other and see how differently one word can be understood, comprehended, and conveyed.

My blog remains anonymous because I'm completely open about things in it that I could never be completely open with anyone else about. I've found that it allows me to use my skills without censoring so that I don't hurt my family, partner, friends, etc. It's not that I write bad things about them, no, it's never that, it's just that some ideas I explore could cause them emotional distress.

And yes, the talent on this site is always astounding.

Hello sixtyfivealive,

Thank you so much. Actually that happened to me quite a few years ago, I got caught in a  tropical Caribbean downpour, and was soaked to the skin; with my two kids we decided to walk through the rain. We had swimsuits on under our shirts, not much to see. It was really refreshing, but we were the only ones walking and laughing and enjoying the rain. You c'ant imagine the looks we got. The looks I got. I could hear them thinking, what an irresponsible etc etc mother. Absolutely sinful behaviour! She must be mad !

I'm going to miss this page while we're on vacation - leave on Friday, and don't get back until May 1; I hope this place is FILLED with BEAUTIFUL THINGS - links to art and photography (if we can't upload those right here which I haven't been able to figure out how to do so far).

I figured I'd leave this poem I wrote, as possibly my last entry.  YOU KEEP IT GOING - I'M GOING TO MAKE A TRIP TO GET UPDATED WHEN I GET BACK - MAY DAY....A NICE DAY FOR FLOWERS AND BIRDS SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT!  Diane

I heard the saplings spring forward from the velvet mountains that cuddle their roots....

The morning rain chose to drench these babes (the mountains and rain were in cahoots)

The rays of sun lingered brightly over this sprawling land, and after great great great grandma passed, I saw a forest that was so grand

The Tetons were never so 'richly' blessed; Mom-nature didn't choose to toil......no deposits of loam piled up for tall trees - only rain fell and built snow-caps on solid rock (but little soil)

Still, delicate flowers had need of a home; no tree would they ever be.

So they took up residence in the Tetons' craggy steps, and blossomed for us all to see

But only the fortunate would see their blooms, since it meant one had to challenge towering heights...

The brave who saw no obstacle, and no fear - steadily climbed those long days....seeking the summit at night.

Around them, many bees flew from flower to flower

Never aware they shouldn't be 'air-borne'...

chubby little insects - wings so paper-thin

how they fascinate us humans while eagles might surely scorn.

We know that Penguins survive the Antarctica, and worms aerate our beloved earth,

And grumpy old people curse the day yet children laugh in the rain; we say they're filled with joy and mirth

What I find as I grow older

Beauty is definitely in the beholder

And anger might never really exist

Except because of what I perceive in my own selfishness,

I often blurt out "I'm upset", or"I'm am pissed!"

Pissed isn't a nice world - it shouldn't be placed in a poem;

Only words such as 'velvet' - 'soft''loving' -

And other expressions we fondly think of...the 'joys and comforts of home!'

Home - in the ghetto

Home - in a war zone

Home - without food

Home - and I hear a moan

Home - for the aged

Home  - for the sick

Home - for the mentally ill

Home - which one do I pick?

Do I pick my home; is it something I can control?

Home - at best I can see is what I find 

 I search my soul; I search my 'house'

I search for what I can call 'mine'.

At times the search ends up being"Paradise Lost"

But then, it's possible "Paradise' is all in my mind

Mind - Soul - Heart -intertwined

And salvation might be 'one of a kind'.

That velvet grass folds upon itself (the wind rolls it into a fold)

The trees grow slightly - and like you and me,

They're showing those signs of growing old

If I live in a land - barren...not a tree

If I'm a desert, will my faith so arid , pick up and desert me?

Desert-Desert - this climate - or a wanton decision to 'leave'

Sometimes I wish I were a tree...

no brain; no pain

with a gain, (quite plain), I can see

Moreover, I can feel when

another nest is built in my hair

Another hair turns to silver

and I don't question who put it there!

Diane Stirling-Stevens - 2008

@__@ Omg! Like I said on the other art thread holy moley there is a lot of talent on here!

As for me, I sing (particularly jazz and classical), compose ( . . . I suck with lyrics), write outrageous (but true!) stories (mostly out of events in my life, personally . . . some of them wind up partly in my journal on cc when I go on a rambling spree) and doodle (my deviantart website) Admittedly I'm not that great at any of the above but boy do I love doing them none-the-less :D

Original Post by cambiar:

Hello sixtyfivealive,

Thank you so much. Actually that happened to me quite a few years ago, I got caught in a  tropical Caribbean downpour, and was soaked to the skin; with my two kids we decided to walk through the rain. We had swimsuits on under our shirts, not much to see. It was really refreshing, but we were the only ones walking and laughing and enjoying the rain. You c'ant imagine the looks we got. The looks I got. I could hear them thinking, what an irresponsible etc etc mother. Absolutely sinful behaviour! She must be mad !

Today it clouded up about 15 minutes ago; it's now pouring rain (not common in the desert).  I thought about you - your poem; went outside, but didn't wear my nice silk blouse....just a simple robe (not of many colors except for the coffee stains here and there), and I got drenched - 'thinking of you'.

"The rain did soak this wench"

Rain fell upon our front-porch bench

The smell of freshness we don't call a stench

While I recall the meaning of the word mench

A ditty written easily; nothing did I wrench

Now the tree has perked up its leaves

Because of the February 'drench'.

Now that was fun!  Diane

sixtyfivealive--

As you sooo graciously invited me-- and sooo outrageously flattered me... and, last but not least...!!! You so relentlessly pursued me...lol!!!

In short-- You've asked for it, so now you've got it!

Hope you LIKE it...!!!

NO complaints accepted, lol!!! Amateur I am and ever will be...

I hate to feel like I'm 'blowing my own horn' as I said to you, but I've enjoyed the talent sharing here and will share a song I sang tonight at Church... I write Christian songs, as my creative inspirations are geared that way-- or silly sometimes, lol! Raising 4 girls can do something to you...! I play an instrument called an Auto harp, like the one pictured in my ID picture and sing...  The song I sang tonight is one of my early songs, and one I wrote in my early 30's. Now I'm 45 and still writing and enjoying sharing my Faith through songs... At home, Church, Campmeetings-- no rotten tomatoes, yet!-- and at Nursing Homes... I won't type the chorus but once...

Mountain Climb

I've found that my Salvation

Is like a Mountain Climb--

Up a rugged mountain-- one day at a time...

And Jesus leads me safely on, as He guides each step I take

So, I need never slip or fall, as He guides me through each day...

Chorus

So I will climb this Mountain, until I reach the top...

Though satan tries to hinder me-- I will never stop!

For, Jesus will be waiting, when my Journey's ov'r...

And, once I look upon His Face-- then I will climb no more...

Verse 2

Sometime's the Climbing's easy, with Sunshine all around--

This Mountain is so Beautiful, when I look back toward's the ground...

For, I can see the Desert-- where, once, I had been--

So lost and tired and lonely, that I won't go down again! (Chorus)

Verse 3

Sometimes the Climbing's harder-- and I feel I can't go on--

When rocks and ice just block my way-- till my strength is almost gone...!

When I can Climb no further-- then I feel His Hand in mine--

Reaching down to help me up-- and add His Strength to mine! So... (Chorus)

Ending--

Oh, yes-- Once I look upon His Face....... Then, I Need Climb... no more...!!!

Hope this encourages... it does me!